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E-LCA of Two Microwave Absorbers Obtained from Slag of Copper Primary Production

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Abstract

Purpose

This research investigates the environmental performance of two products obtained using slag derived from copper primary production (copper slag, CS). The first is a tile produced as a traditional stoneware ceramic plate (CS tile) and the second product is a glass–ceramic sample obtained by melt quenching method (CS bulk sample). The products are intended for use in industrial plants as auxiliary heating elements aimed at absorbing microwave.

Methods

The environmental assessment was carried out using LCA methodology, and the obtained outcomes were compared to the results calculated for a traditional tile containing silicon carbide (SiC tile).

Results

The analyses show that the innovative products have an environmental load of 74% for the CS tile and 54% for the CS bulk sample lower than the environmental impact calculated for the traditional SiC-based material tile. The latter presents a high environmental load due to the incidence on the total impact of the raw materials production. In fact, LCA analysis proves that copper slag production has an impact of 96% lower with respect to the SiC production.

Conclusions

This study identifies a possible waste reduction strategy in accordance with the European end-of-waste criteria, but these results should be supported by a site analysis in order to provide an appropriate context for decision making.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the European Union through the project Life+ “WASTE3—Extreme energy-free valorisation of copper metallurgical waste in heating elements and semiconductive nanoceramic enamels” (Life10ENV/IT/419/WASTE3).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. DISMI Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, 42122, Reggio Emilia, Italy

    Elisabetta Zerazion, Martina Pini & Anna Maria Ferrari

  2. DIEF Department, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Vivarelli 10, 41125, Modena, Italy

    Consuelo Mugoni, Cristina Siligardi & Paolo Veronesi

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  1. Elisabetta Zerazion
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  2. Martina Pini
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Correspondence to Elisabetta Zerazion.

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Zerazion, E., Pini, M., Mugoni, C. et al. E-LCA of Two Microwave Absorbers Obtained from Slag of Copper Primary Production. Waste Biomass Valor 10, 733–745 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12649-017-0081-0

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